Maturation of the Dutch social housing model and perspectives for the future

The Dutch social rented sector has acquired an international reputation because of its social nature and the way it has evolved. With around 32% of the total stock, the size of the sector is much bigger than in other western European countries. Also the development after the second world war is unique. This current position is determined by the specific structure of the Dutch welfare state and the country’s distinct housing policy. It is also the result of the shifting balance of supply and demand in the national housing policy. In this paper we explain the development of the Dutch social rented sector on the basis of the above mentioned characteristics. We start with an international comparison in which the position of the Dutch sector is positioned. We will also pay attention to the background of the successful development of this sector: the financing system, the unique guarantee system and the interplay between the central government and the local housing associations. The contribution concludes with an exploration of the future of the social rented sector in the Netherlands. The sketch is specifically concerned with the development options for the social rented sector in the next few years. Due to all kind of processes and developments, the social rented sector in the Netherlands is nowadays on a crossroad and important policy decisions have to be made.